Reduce appropriations to the State Regents for Higher Education, a state government entity whose chancellor is paid over $400,000 a year by Oklahoma taxpayers. If the Boren tax increase were to become law, higher education would take at least $100 million more from Oklahoma taxpayers. Savings = $100 million ($5k pay raise for 20,000 teachers)

Implement state employee health insurance reform, as already passed and signed into law in 2015 via House Bill 1567. Savings = $95 million ($5k pay raise for 19,000 teachers)

Use investment earnings from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, or TSET. The terms of the settlement clearly state the funds are eligible to be used for common education. Savings = $43 million. ($5k pay raise for 8,600 teachers)

Eliminate, for state government agencies, funding for sponsorships of NBA games and other sporting events, non-critical travel, membership in the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures, and purchase of unnecessary “swag” promotional materials. Savings = $39.8 million ($5k pay raise for 7,960 teachers)

Keep appropriation for State Department of Education at same level as Fiscal Year 2016 – $2.48 billion – but dedicate 4% to teacher salary increases. From 1992-93 school year through 2013-14 school year, statewide student enrollment in Oklahoma increased 14% and teaching personnel increased by 13%, while non-teaching, administrative personnel increased by 34%. Had non-teaching, administrative personnel grown merely at same rate as student enrollment, annual savings would exceed $294 million. Savings = $99 million ($5k pay raise for 19,800 teachers)